Kite control



K. C. HOWARD Oct. 14, 1952 KITE CONTROL Filed May 18 1951 KENNETH C. HOWARD Y E m O T T A Patented Oct. 14, 1952 N TEs PATENT -5 KITE oo TnoL v Kenneth (J. Howard, an wan, Tex. Application May 18, 1951,'Serial No. 227,012

This invention relates to kite controls, and has reference to my copending application Serial No. 168,552, filed June 16, 1950, and now U. S. Patent 2,556,877, issued June '12, 1951.

An object of the invention is to provide'a Simplified means for increasing the maneuverability of kites.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive control for kites whereby the angle of incidence and the lateral center of lift of the kite may be changed at the will of the operator.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: I

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a kite showing a preferred embodiment of the invention attached thereto.

Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the form of the invention illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a side elevation, similar to Figure 2, of a. modified form of the invention.

Figure 5 is a front view of a further modified form of the invention.

The form of the invention shown in Figures 1 through 3 includes a square base I having holes I I in the corners thereof for attaching the outer ends of the bridle strings l2 of a kite I3. The face of the base H1 is provided with a forwardly projecting round spindle I having a round centrally located control plate It transversely secured to its forward end. The kite string I1 is secured to the base In by means of an openin l8 therethrough and a knot 19 formed in the end of the string. The string l1 extends from the base In, is wound around the spindle l5 so as to detachably engage arcuate notches 20 formed in the rearward periphery of the control plate 16.

In operation, the control unit described is attached to the kite [3' in the manner described on the forward ends of the bridle strings [2. The kite is then fiown in the usual manner, preferably with the string I! in either the uppermost or lowermost notch 20 in the control plate I6 so as to prevent the kite from initially flying to one side or the other. ing and slackening the string 11, the latter unwinds from around the spindle l5. Upon tightening the line H, the same will likely fit into a different notch 20, thus changing the attitude of the plane of the kite I3 relative to the length of the string l1. Such undeterminable positions, as last referred to, will cause the kite to fly in unpredictable ways, thereby lending interest to 3 Claims. ((11. 244-153) the flying. It is to be understood that by repeated operations of slackening and tightening the string, any desired attitude may ultimately be attained.

The form of the invention illustrated in Figure 4 is substantially the same as the first described form and includes a flat base 2|, spaced holes 22 therearound for engaging the forward ends of the bridle strings [2 of the kite I3, together with a spindle projecting from the center of the base, and a round control plate 24 transversely secured on the forward end of the spindle. There is a collar 25 rotatably mounted on the forward end of the spindle 23 and has a laterally projecting spring 26 which does not normally contact the periphery of the plate 24. The outer end of the spring 26, which projects outwardly beyond the control plate 24, is provided with an eye 21, for slid ably receiving the kite string 11;

which, as before, is wound around the spindle '23 and is secured to the base 2| by passing through an opening 28 and terminating in a knot 29 on,

the back side of said plate. A projecting pin 30 is positioned through the spindle 23 for locating the collar 25 in its described position. When the I string "is taut, the spring 26 engages one of a notches 3| instead of the string l1 engaging the By temporarily releasnotches 20. The spring 26 readily d'iseng-ages the notches 3| when the string I1 is slackened, and readily engages the same notches when the strin is taut, thereby lending to a positive engagement positioning the string at some location around the periphery of the control plate 24.

.The form of the invention illustrated in Figure 5 is very similar to the first described form of the invention and includes a square plate 32 having holes 33 in the corners thereof for engaging the forward ends of the bridle strings 12 of the kite l3. This form of the invention includes a forwardly projecting spindle 34 and an irregularly shaped control plate 35 on the forward end of the spindle. As before, the string I1 is wound around the spindle 34 and secured to the plate 32. Notches in the inner or rearward periphery of the plate 35 engage the string I! when the latter is taut, and releases the same when the string is 3 temporarily slackened. All described forms of the invention provide for changing the relative center of lift, and consequently changes the attitude of the plane of the kite l3 relative to the length of the string I! for increasing the interest in flying the kite.

The described forms of the invention may be made in many ways within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A kite control comprising a base adapted-to be attached to the forward ends of the kites bridle strings, a spindle projecting forwardly from said base, a control plate transversely secured on the forward end of said spindle, notches in the rearward periphery of said -cont'r'ol-plate for engaging the kite string when. the latter is secured to said base and wound around" said spindle and positioned against the said plate;

2. A kite control comprising a base adapted to be attached to the forward ends of the kites bridle strings, a spindle projecting forwardly from said base, a control plate transversely secured on the forward end of said spindle, notches-the rearward periphery of said control plate,-a collar i irregular shape.

ICENNETH C. HOWARD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the me of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 692,998 Fletcher s Feb. 11,1902 2,431,289 Whaley Nov/1S, 1941 2,451,571 Marshall r oat. 19,1948 

